Watch the Jaws moment for police as great white shark stalks their dinghy

Police in South Australia had a "Jaws" experience when their operation was interrupted by a great white shark.

The shark serenely followed them as they rode on a small police dinghy, which was in turn pursuing a recreational fishing boat selected for a random breath test.

Their inflatable dinghy was only 4.5m long, shorter than the shark following them.

The animal, after a few minutes, left the police alone and went to circle the fishing boat. The force saw the funny side and named the shark Noah.

The South Australia Police Force wrote on social media: "Police launch Investigator 2 had a close encounter with a Great White shark today while patrolling at Tapley Shoal, about 9 nautical miles east of Edithburgh.

The shark in pursuit of the boatCredit: REUTERS

"Police were concentrating on recreational boats and checking registration, licences and safety equipment along with alcohol and drug testing operators when they were paid a visit by one of the locals.

"30 boats were checked and pleasingly, no operators tested positive to drugs or alcohol and only a few minor breaches for safety equipment were found. Noah wasn't keen on being breath tested and our Water Operations Unit officers were happy to oblige!"

Mark Oates, one of the men on the fishing boat, told ABC that he was drift fishing when his friend swore and said: "Look at the size of this thing that's come up behind us!"

The great white dwarfed the dinghy Credit: REUTERS

He explained: "I told [the police] to back off a bit because the shark was right next to us.

"For probably the next 10 or 15 minutes we just sat around. The police brought the big boat in, which is where the footage from above the shark has come from.

"There was very little fish caught that day, I can tell you."

The fishermen were not breathalysed in the end, and said they thought it was because the police were not too keen on coming very close to them and their travelling companion.